There are still a few weeks to go before Christmas, a time when the consumption of king oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) tends to increase considerably. However, demand seems to be lively already at the start of the 2023 campaign, while supply is rather low.
Filippo Lupo from AgriFunghi, a company that produces and sells substrates and fresh mushrooms almost all year round, updates us as regards the current productive and commercial situation. "Up until early November, wholesale mushrooms sold at €12/kg due to the drop in production caused by the excessive heat during the fall season. Mushrooms are sensitive to temperatures and this has been quite a complex season from this point of view. Now the situation has improved, but demand is so high that we cannot suitably fulfil all orders. Requests are coming in from all over Italy, especially from the north and Sardinia. The popularity of king oyster mushrooms has increased a lot and many operators request them rather frequently."
It seems the abnormal weather, with maximum temperatures reaching 25°C in November, compromised many blocks in the main production areas (such as Basilicata, Puglia and Calabria). "Those who, like us, move production to mountain areas during the most critical months, managed to get by, but substrates were ruined in the plain, forcing may growers to throw them away and reduce their yields. Availability will probably remain limited over the next few weeks, and prices will increase especially as the Christmas period approaches."
For further information:
Agri Funghi
S.S. 598 val d'Agri km 110
75023 Montalbano Jonico (MT) - Italy
(+39) 346/6940121
info@agrifunghi.it
www.agrifunghi.it